Thoovanam Waterfall
Thoovanam Waterfall is one of the largest and most beautiful falls in Munnar found enroute to the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. The cascade is in the Pambar River, which flows East and joins the Amaravathi reservoir in Tamil Nadu. Continue reading
Mattupetty Dam
Near Munnar and at an altitude of 1700 meters above sea level, Mattupetty is a favorite haunt of weekend picnickers due to the temperate climate. The beautiful Mattupetty lake, created by the small hydro electricity dam, is flanked by steep hills and woods. Continue reading
Asters, a charming spring-flowering plants with one flower head per stem, are widely growing in the High Ranges of Kerala. The flowers are mainly used for floral decorations.
Our guests Mr.& Mrs. Brayan shared some of their wild life experiences from their visit to Periyar National Park.
Fire Flame Bush is a many branched deciduous shrub that grows to a height of 4-5 meters. It takes its name from the red coloration of both its bark and its flowers. It grows throughout Kerala up to an altitude of 1500 meters.
Fever Nut is a large thorny shrub bearing light yellow fruits covered with sharp thorns. Its commonly found in the tropical forests of the Western Ghats up to an altitude of 1000 meters. In Ayurveda the root of the plant is used for treating fever, cough, asthma, worms and colic. The leaves are anthelmintic and useful in treating elephantiasis.
Nasturtium plants are native to South America, but this fast growing climber is now widely growing in the High Ranges of Kerala. These plants are commonly found in gardens and the leaves and flowers are used to increase resistance to bacterial infections.
Eravikulam National Park is situated along the crest of the western Ghats in the High Ranges near to Munnar. The rolling grasslands and striking flora and fauna draw a large number of visitors to Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary, a section of the national park. The majority of the National Park is made up of rolling plateau with a base elevation of about 2000 meters. The largest surviving population of Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitaragus hylocrius) endemic to this region. Continue reading
The Spider Lily is an amazing plant which is commonly found in the hill stations of Kerala’s Western Ghats. These plants can grow in wet areas, in water, as well as dry areas. The beautiful white flowers have long narrow reflexed petals. The flower stem is long and each stem has several flowers. Continue reading
The Lakkom Stream forms 7300 feet above sea level in the watershed region of the Eravimala Plateau and flows into Eravikulam National Park, the fragile home land of the Nilgiri tahr and the mysterious Neelakkurinji (a flower which blooms once in 12 years). Continue reading
Although originally native to North America pumpkins are now widely growing all over the world as one of the largest vegetables. This gourd-like squash belongs in the botanical family Cucurbitaceae. In India they are commonly farmed in hill station ecosystems. Continue reading
Guinea Balsam is a beautiful flower which was introduced from New Guinea. Also known as Impatiens,it is bushy, soft wooded-plant widely growing in Kerala especially in the hill stations. Balsam’s wide range of colors from red, purple, orange, white, and violet make a popular ornamental in many gardens.
Fuchsia magellanica is an upright shrub that reaches a height of 3-4 feet. The plant is a famous ornamental found in the Western Ghats of India above 1500 meters. It bears flamboyant flowers with deep red sepals and purple-red petals. Continue reading
This activity is being sponsored by the Kerala Forest Department and, similar to the Tiger Trail, is conducted by a group of men who had previously engaged in illegal forest activities. They surrendered before the forest department, receiving immunity from imprisonment in exchange for a life devoted to the protection of the forest. They are currently engaged in the Bullock Cart excursion, a “zero carbon activity” in the Cumbum Valley, an area famous for vegetable farms and wine yards. Continue reading
Malay Rose Apple tree is a tropical evergreen tree which grows up to 40-50 ft height. Native to Malaysia, these trees are cultivated and naturalized in the Western Ghats of India.The rose apple blooms throughout the year and the ripe fruit can be eaten raw. The fruits are also used for making wine, jams, jellies and stews. In medicine the tonic of the fruit is used for ailments of the brain and liver . Continue reading
Native to Mexico and Central America, Tithonia flowers are commonly found in the High Ranges of Kerala as an ornamental flower. The range of colors of these flowers comprises a fiery orange, yellow, and strong red. The flowers are used for floral decorations and are a real magnet for butterflies and other pollinators.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the eastern part of the high ranges of Kerala’s Western Ghats. It is regarded as one of the unique protected areas in the whole of the mountainous region due to its ecological, floral, geomorphological and cultural significance. The habitat types range from high altitude shola-grassland to dry thorny scrub. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is near to Munnar situated in the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats, getting rains mostly during the North-East monsoons of October-December. This important watershed area feeds two perennial rivers; the Pambar and the Chinnar, from which the sanctuary takes its name. Continue reading
Native to India and Sri Lanka Blue Fountain Bush is widely growing in the Western Ghats especially in the high ranges of Kerala up to 2000 meters. These large shrubs can be found in hilly forested areas. Its flowers attract butterflies and the leaves and roots are used in traditional medicine. Continue reading
Munnar and its surrounding environs abound in cascades. They are at their glorious best immediately after the monsoons. Periyakanal Waterfall is located near to Munnar en route to Thekkady. The enchanting surroundings amid lush tea plantations make it an excellent picnic spot and overlook. Continue reading
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